AzTrials
AzTrials

Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous SystemPEDI-CORENCT07654738

Core Stability, Functional Capacity, Balance, Strength, and Fatigue in Pediatric Demyelinating Diseases

An observational study of Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System and Child, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study aims to evaluate balance ability, core stability, functional capacity, lower extremity muscle strength, and fatigue levels in children diagnosed with central nervous system demyelinating diseases, in order to contribute to the development of evidence-based and individualized rehabilitation strategies. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years
What is being tested?
No ADT
How many people
32 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
31 Aug 2026to 30 Jan 2028
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Study population: The study will be conducted with pediatric patients diagnosed with demyelinating diseases (Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD)) who are referred to our center.

Who may be able to join

  • Age between 6 and 18 years
  • Diagnosed with a pediatric demyelinating disease
  • No relapse within the last 3 months
  • No botulinum toxin (Botox) injections within the last 3 months
  • No corticosteroid treatment within the last 3 months
  • Ability to read and write

Who cannot join

  • History of concomitant autoimmune diseases
  • Refusal of the patient and/or caregiver to participate in the study
  • History of another primary neurological disease
  • Cognitive impairment that limits understanding of instructions and participation in assessments
  • Visual and/or hearing impairments that interfere with activities of daily living
  • Presence of additional rheumatological conditions that may interfere with assessments
  • Spasticity grade ≥2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale in any muscle group

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye

    Istanbul, Basaksehir, 34480

    Tahire Basak Demir, PhD (c), +90 (212) 213 64 86 ext. 203, tahirebasakdemir@gmail.com

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation of the Relationship Between Core Stability, Functional Capacity, Balance, Lower Extremity Strength, and Fatigue in Pediatric Demyelinating Diseases

This study aims to evaluate balance ability, core stability, functional capacity, lower extremity muscle strength, and fatigue levels in children diagnosed with central nervous system demyelinating diseases, in order to contribute to the development of evidence-based and individualized rehabilitation strategies.

Read the detailed description

Central nervous system demyelinating diseases in childhood, including multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, are rare but may result in significant physical and cognitive impairments. These conditions arise from immune-mediated damage to the white matter of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord, leading to disruptions in neuromotor development.

Motor dysfunction, fatigue, and reduced physical activity are commonly observed in affected children and are associated with decreased functional capacity and quality of life. In addition, impaired postural stability due to disrupted integration of proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual systems contributes to balance deficits, increased fall risk, gait abnormalities, and reduced participation in daily activities.

Core stabilization plays a fundamental role in motor development and functional movement by ensuring efficient postural control and force transfer through the kinetic chain. However, central nervous system pathology may impair the timely and coordinated activation of core musculature.

Despite growing literature in adult populations, pediatric evidence remains limited, which restricts the development of individualized rehabilitation approaches. Therefore, this study will assess balance, core stability, functional capacity, lower extremity muscle strength, and fatigue in children with demyelinating diseases to better inform clinical rehabilitation strategies.

Being tested
No ADT
Keywords
Pediatric Demyelinating Diseases, Core Stability, Balance, Fatigue
Medical subject headings
Demyelinating Diseases, Fatigue

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • No ADTOther

    No intervention is administered. Participants will undergo a single assessment including balance evaluation, core stability testing, lower extremity muscle strength assessment, functional capacity tests, and fatigue measurement. All assessments are non-invasive and performed in a single session.

Study groups in NCT07654738
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group 1: Pediatric Demyelinating Disease GroupNot described
Receives: Other: No ADT

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Core Stability

    Core stability (endurance and strength) will be evaluated using standardized trunk endurance tests. The Trunk Flexor Endurance Test measures the duration participants can maintain a 60° trunk flexion position. The Biering-Sørensen Test evaluates trunk extensor endurance in a prone horizontal position supported at the pelvis and lower limbs, recording the time until loss of horizontal alignment. The Side Bridge Test assesses lateral trunk endurance while maintaining a side plank position. All results will be recorded in seconds.

    Measured: Baseline (single assessment)

  2. Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT)

    The Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) will be used to assess dynamic postural control. The test consists of three reach directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral, with the posterior directions positioned at 90° to each other and each forming a 135° angle with the anterior direction. Participants will stand barefoot on the tested limb at the intersection of the three lines and reach as far as possible along each direction with the contralateral limb while maintaining balance and without transferring body weight onto the reaching limb. Before testing, standardized practice trials will be provided to minimize learning effects. Three recorded trials will be performed in each direction for each limb, and the maximum reach distance will be recorded. Reach distances will be normalized to limb length and expressed as a percentage using the formula: (maximum reach distance / limb length) × 100. A composite reach score will also be calculated by averaging the normalized

    Measured: Baseline (single assessment)

  3. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

    Functional capacity will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) following standardized protocols. Participants will walk at their own pace for 6 minutes on a 30-meter indoor walkway marked every 2 meters, with turnaround points marked by cones. The total distance walked in meters will be recorded.

    Measured: Baseline (single assessment)

  4. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

    For TUG, the person gets up from the chair, walks 3 m, turns back and sits down again. The test will be conducted using the same chair for every child, and the time will be recorded in seconds.

    Measured: Baseline (Single Assessment)

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test

    Lower extremity muscle strength and functional performance will be assessed using the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test. Participants will perform repeated sit-to-stand movements from a standardized chair for 30 seconds. The total number of full stands completed within the time period will be recorded.

    Measured: Baseline (single assessment)

  2. Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)

    Fatigue severity will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a 9-item questionnaire rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree). The final score is calculated as the mean of all items, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.

    Measured: Baseline (single assessment)

  3. Fatigue Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-Fatigue)

    Fatigue intensity will be measured using a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale, where 0 indicates no fatigue and 10 indicates worst imaginable fatigue. Participants will report fatigue levels during activity, at rest, and over the last 24 hours, as well as perceived fatigue over the past week.

    Measured: Past 24 hours and past 1 week (single assessment)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Jun 2026
  2. Study start31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jan 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
32 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07654738
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025/451
Acronym
PEDI-CORE
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
12 Jun 2026
Last updated
8 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: No, individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. All study records will be destroyed 2 years after study completion.

Publications

  • Toussaint-Duyster LC, Wong YYM, Van der Cammen-van Zijp MH, Van Pelt-Gravesteijn D, Catsman-Berrevoets CE, Hintzen RQ, Neuteboom RF. Fatigue and physical functioning in children with multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Mult Scler. 2018 Jun;24(7):982-990. doi: 10.1177/1352458517706038. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

    PubMed 28445083
  • Tardieu M, Banwell B, Wolinsky JS, Pohl D, Krupp LB. Consensus definitions for pediatric MS and other demyelinating disorders in childhood. Neurology. 2016 Aug 30;87(9 Suppl 2):S8-S11. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002877.

    PubMed 27572866
  • Gulati S, Chakrabarty B, Kumar A, Jain P, Patel H, Saini L. Acquired demyelinating disorders of central nervous system: A pediatric cohort. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2015 Sep;18(Suppl 1):S48-55. doi: 10.4103/0972-2327.164829.

    PubMed 26538849
  • Hertel. J., Miller. S. J., Denegar. C. R. (2000). Intratester and intertester reliability during the star excursion balance tests. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 9-(2), 104-116.

  • Gladman D, Nash P, Goto H, Birt JA, Lin CY, Orbai AM, Kvien TK. Fatigue numeric rating scale validity, discrimination and responder definition in patients with psoriatic arthritis. RMD Open. 2020 Jan;6(1):e000928. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2019-000928.

    PubMed 31958274
  • Gowda VK, Shetty D, Madivala BV, Benakappa N, Benakappa A. Clinical and Radiological Profiles, Treatment, and Outcome of Pediatric Acquired Demyelinating Disorders of Central Nervous System. J Pediatr Neurosci. 2019 Apr-Jun;14(2):76-81. doi: 10.4103/jpn.JPN_62_18.

    PubMed 31516624
  • Erden A, Acar Arslan E, Dundar B, Topbas M, Cavlak U. Reliability and validity of Turkish version of pediatric balance scale. Acta Neurol Belg. 2021 Jun;121(3):669-675. doi: 10.1007/s13760-020-01302-9. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

    PubMed 32077065
  • Al-Hameed, A. A. K. (2022). Spearman's correlation coefficient in statistical analysis. International Journal of Nonlinear Analysis and Applications, 13(1), 3249-3255.

  • Akuthota V, Nadler SF. Core strengthening. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Mar;85(3 Suppl 1):S86-92. doi: 10.1053/j.apmr.2003.12.005.

    PubMed 15034861
  • Absoud M, Cummins C, Chong WK, De Goede C, Foster K, Gunny R, Hemingway C, Jardine P, Kneen R, Likeman M, Lim MJ, Pike M, Sibtain N, Whitehouse WP, Wassmer E. Paediatric UK demyelinating disease longitudinal study (PUDDLS). BMC Pediatr. 2011 Jul 28;11:68. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-11-68.

    PubMed 21798048

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System and Child, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Tahire Basak Demir, PhD (c) (+90 (212) 213 64 86 ext. 203, tahirebasakdemir@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Core Stability (time frame: Baseline (single assessment)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07654738, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Sep 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in